Yes, I strongly believe that businesses can serve as a “school” for evangelization and sanctity in the sense that it can be a place where both the leadership and employees are given the environment to thrive personally and professionally and also to grow in virtue, character, and moral integrity.
Although we may not use the word “sanctity” in the business world, maybe we should adopt it and use it as our ultimate leadership guide. Sanctity is living a life of love for God and obedience to His will with the aim of eternal union with God in Heaven. Admittedly many or most of the people you work with – employees, vendors, customers – may not be living a life of or care to be living a life of love for God these days, but your business should exemplify sanctity through its business operations. They may not be able to articulate it but they should be able to sense the difference between your organization and the purely profit centered business down the road.
If you are one of those “God is for Sunday” kind of leaders, keep in mind that holiness is the ultimate goal of every Catholic, every Christian, and it can be achieved by faithfully fulfilling the duties of one’s state in life.
Here are some ideas on how your business could function as a “school for sanctity”:
View Work as a Path to Holiness
You should see your business as a form of service to God. In this context, work isn’t just about profit or success but about contributing to the common good (one of the pillars of Catholic Social Teaching). A business that encourages its employees to see their work as meaningful and connected to a broader purpose can foster a sense of vocation, or calling, which can lead to personal sanctification.
Change Your Company “Values Statement” to “Virtues”.
A business that emphasizes the human virtues and teaches the meaning of them to its employees and incorporates them into the language and overall culture of the business can create an environment where people are encouraged to live with virtue and to see its positive effects in action. The human virtues are: magnanimity, humility, self-control, justice, prudence, and courage. Read more about this: Virtuous Leadership by Alexandre Havard.
Foster a “Esprit de Corps” Culture.
If a business promotes a sense of community and care among its employees, it can be a place where people learn to (agape) love and serve each other. The book, “Corporate Culture and Performance“ by Kotter and Heskett , provides a thorough examination of the relationship between corporate culture and long-term financial performance. Their study, covering 207 large U.S. companies over an 11-year period, revealed compelling statistics that demonstrate the impact of an esprit de corps culture on performance. Here’s Heskett’s latest book on the subject: Win from Within – Build Organizational Culture for Competitive Advantage.
Your Leadership as Role Model
Leadership is crucial in shaping the culture of a business. Leaders who embody the human virtues can inspire others in their influence to do the same. When a leader prioritizes virtue over profit or power, they can create a ripple effect throughout the organization, helping others strive for excellence in their personal and professional lives.
Uphold Human Dignity in The Workplace
Treating employees, customers, and stakeholders with respect and honoring their dignity is a form of sanctity in the workplace. For instance, ensuring fair wages, maintaining a safe and healthy work environment, and supporting work-life balance can help employees flourish in all areas of their lives.
So, the answer is yes, businesses can indeed be a “school for sanctity” when they foster an environment where individuals can thrive. The workplace becomes more than a means of financial survival – it can be a place where people practice and live out principles that lead to personal and collective flourishing, while learning about and deepening their individual spiritual lives in the process.
